Method for combining logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units and circuit arrangement

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method for combining logic-based circuit units ( 101 ) and memory-based circuit units ( 102 ) in a circuit arrangement, different supply voltage swings ( 111   a,    111   b ) being provided, at least one supply voltage potential ( 103 ) for at least one logic-based circuit unit ( 101 ) being provided, at least one ground potential ( 107   a ) for the logic-based circuit unit ( 101 ) being provided, at least one supply voltage potential ( 103   b ) for at least one memory-based circuit unit being provided, at least one ground potential for the memory-based circuit unit being provided, a signal voltage swing ( 105 ) being set in such a way that both the logic-based circuit unit ( 101 ) and the memory-based circuit unit ( 102 ) can process the signal voltage swing in a manner dependent on the supply voltage swings ( 111   a,    111   b ) set. At least one ground potential difference ( 106   a,    106   b ) is set between the at least one ground potential ( 107   a,    107   b ) and a reference ground potential ( 104 ) in such a way that the logic-based circuit unit ( 101 ) and the memory-based circuit unit ( 102 ) are supplied with at least one supply voltage swing ( 112   a,    112   b ) without a supply voltage swing ( 111   a,    111   b ) of the corresponding circuit unit ( 101, 102 ) being exceeded.

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for providing supply voltage potentials and ground potentials in circuit arrangements and systems with a high data transfer rate, and relates, in particular, to a method for combining logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units in a circuit arrangement or in a circuit system, in which different supply voltage swings are provided.

[0002] A performance of circuit arrangements and systems rises with an increasing integration density, in particular whole systems being arranged on a single chip. These circuit systems, known under the designation SoC (system on chip), have the advantage that it is possible to provide a high integration density and a functionality at a high level, although a process complexity increases in a disadvantageous manner.

[0003] In particular—but not exclusively—the process complexity of such systems rises by virtue of the fact that logic functions are integrated together with memory functions which are present on an SoC system. Furthermore, for cost reasons, large chip areas are fabricated in order to further increase a functionality of SoC systems. In the case of more extensive circuit systems, it is not desirable—or even impossible—to integrate all the functionalities on a chip, in particular the functionalities are separated according to a type of functionality, e.g. into memory-based and logic-based functionalities, so that memory-based circuit units and logic-based circuit units are integrated on different chips and communicate with one another by means of interface circuit units via signals which have a defined signal voltage swing.

[0004] The fabrication process for integrated circuits on a chip can be optimized, then, for the individual types of functionality, a difference between logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units increasing with increasing integration and performance.

[0005] In the case of logic-based circuit units, increasingly thin gate oxides, low threshold voltages and low supply voltage potentials or supply voltage swings are used, which are provided as voltage differences between a supply voltage potential and a ground potential.

[0006] By contrast, in the case of memory-based circuit units, thick gate oxides, high threshold voltages and thus also higher supply voltage potentials or supply voltage swings are required. For cost reasons, it is not practicable in large scale integrated systems with a high transfer rate to operate logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units with identical or similar supply voltage potentials, ground potentials and/or supply voltage swings. In computer-aided systems, in data transfer systems and generally in complex circuit systems, different logic-based circuit units are used together with memory-based circuit units, information being exchanged between logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units in the form of signals with defined signal voltage swings.

[0007]FIG. 2 shows a circuit arrangement according to the prior art in which a logic-based circuit unit 101 and a memory-based circuit unit 102 are connected to one another via a signal path, information being exchanged between the memory-based circuit unit 102 and the logic-based circuit unit 101 with signals whose signal voltage swing 105 is provided between a signal voltage minimum value 110 and a signal voltage maximum value 109, the signal voltage swing 105 varying by a signal voltage swing average value 108 or an arithmetic mean.

[0008] The signal voltage swing 105 typically lies in the region of 400 mV, but smaller or larger values of the signal voltage swing 105 can also be set.

[0009] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the logic-based circuit unit 101 and the memory-based circuit unit 102 can be provided with different supply voltage potentials 103 a and 103 b, respectively, with respect to a ground potential 107, a supply voltage swing 111 a being applied to the logic-based circuit unit 101, while a supply voltage swing 111 b is applied to the memory-based circuit unit 102.

[0010] The arrow 112 illustrated on the left in FIG. 2 designates the supply voltage potential, a positive supply voltage increasing in the direction of the arrow 112 proceeding from a ground potential 107 (0 V). Consequently, a supply voltage potential 103 a which is less than the ground potential 107 is applied to the logic-based circuit unit shown in FIG. 2, while a higher supply voltage potential 103 b is applied to the memory-based circuit unit 102. Consequently, in the circuit arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the supply voltage swing 111 a at the logic-based circuit unit 101 is likewise smaller than the supply voltage swing 111 b at the memory-based circuit unit 102.

[0011] For optimization of a functionality, it is necessary, on account of the production process for integrated circuits, for the supply voltage swing 111 a of the logic-based circuit unit 101 to lie below the supply voltage swing 111 a of the memory-based circuit unit 102.

[0012] Consequently, it is a disadvantage of conventional circuit arrangements for combining logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units that a supply voltage swing cannot be reduced arbitrarily, since a predetermined signal voltage swing must be maintained in order to ensure a reliable communication between a logic-based circuit unit and a memory-based circuit unit.

[0013] With increasing integration, memory-based circuit units increasingly require supply voltage swings which can destroy logic-based circuit units or load them to an excessive extent, since the logic-based circuit units are more sensitive to high supply voltage potentials on account of their thin gate oxides.

[0014] A further disadvantage of the conventional circuit arrangement is that logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units are connected to an identical ground potential, thereby reducing a variability when defining a supply voltage potential for the respective circuit unit given a predetermined signal voltage swing.

[0015] A further disadvantage of conventional circuit arrangements is that a signal voltage swing average value can only be varied within narrow limits with respect to the supply voltage potentials and the ground potential.

[0016] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for combining logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units in a circuit arrangement in which different supply voltage swings are provided, a variation of the ground potential being provided in addition to a variation of the supply voltage potential.

[0017] This object is achieved according to the invention by means of the method specified in Patent Claim 1 and also by means of an apparatus having the features of Patent Claim 5.

[0018] Further refinements of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

[0019] An essential concept of the invention consists in providing different ground potentials for logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units by means of the provision of different ground potential differences with respect to a reference ground potential for logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units.

[0020] The invention's method for combining logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units in a circuit arrangement essentially has the following steps:

[0021] a) provision of at least one supply voltage potential for at least one logic-based circuit unit;

[0022] b) provision of at least one ground potential for the logic-based circuit unit;

[0023] c) provision of at least one supply voltage potential for at least one memory-based circuit unit;

[0024] d) provision of at least one ground potential for the memory-based circuit unit;

[0025] e) provision of a signal voltage swing, which is set between a signal voltage minimum value and a signal voltage maximum value, in order to enable a communication or an exchange of information between the memory-based circuit unit and the logic-based circuit unit, the signal voltage swing being applied both to the memory-based circuit unit and to the logic-based circuit unit; and

[0026] f) setting of at least one ground potential difference between the at least one ground potential of the logic-based circuit unit and the memory-based circuit unit and a reference ground potential in such a way that at least one supply voltage swing is applied to the logic-based circuit unit and the memory-based circuit unit, the signal voltage swing being provided in such a way that a supply voltage potential or a supply voltage swing of circuit units in the circuit arrangement is not exceeded.

[0027] Advantageous developments and improvements of the respective subject matter of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0028] In accordance with one preferred development of the present invention, the signal voltage swing in the case of logic-based circuit units is provided in the range between a signal voltage minimum value of 0.4 V and a signal voltage maximum value of 0.8 V.

[0029] In accordance with yet another preferred development of the present invention, the signal voltage swing in the case of logic-based circuit units is provided in the range between 0.4 V and 0.8 V, a signal voltage swing average value being set in such a way that the signal voltage maximum value does not exceed 1.0 V.

[0030] In accordance with yet another preferred development of the present invention, the signal voltage swing which is applied to memory-based circuit units is adapted to the signal voltage swing of the logic-based circuit units.

[0031] The invention's circuit arrangement for combining logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units, in which different supply voltage swings are provided, furthermore has at least one supply voltage source, which has the following features:

[0032] a) provision of at least one supply voltage potential for at least one logic-based circuit unit;

[0033] b) provision of at least one ground potential for the logic-based circuit unit;

[0034] c) provision of at least one supply voltage potential for the at least one memory-based circuit unit, the supply voltage potential for the memory-based circuit unit being different from the supply voltage potential for the logic-based circuit unit; and

[0035] d) provision of at least one ground potential for the memory-based circuit unit, the ground potential for the memory-based circuit unit being different from the ground potential for the logic-based circuit unit.

[0036] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the description below. In the drawings:

[0037]FIG. 1 shows a circuit arrangement in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0038]FIG. 2 shows a conventional circuit arrangement for combining logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units.

[0039] In the figures, identical reference symbols designate identical or functionally identical components or steps.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0040]FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention for combining logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units. By way of example, FIG. 1 illustrates two circuit units, a logic-based circuit unit 101 and a memory-based circuit unit 102.

[0041] However, it shall be pointed out that more than one logic-based circuit unit 101 and more than one memory-based circuit unit 102 can be arranged and connected to one another.

[0042] Furthermore, it is clearly evident that any desired circuit units which require adjustable supply voltage potentials and ground potentials can be provided as circuit units 101 and 102, respectively. The circuit arrangement shown in FIG. 1 makes it possible to provide the logic-based circuit unit 101 and the memory-based circuit unit 102 with different ground potentials 107 a and 107 b, respectively, and/or different supply voltage potentials 103 a and 103 b, respectively.

[0043] The arrow 112 shown in FIG. 1 represents the magnitude of a supply voltage potential relative to a reference ground potential 104. Voltage potentials can then be set as desired with respect to the reference ground potential 104 by means of a supply voltage source (not shown). A signal path is illustrated between the circuit units 101, 102 shown in FIG. 1, said signal path being characterized by a signal voltage swing 105, the latter describing a signal which varies between a signal voltage minimum value 110 and a signal voltage maximum value 109 around a signal voltage swing average value 105 or around an arithmetic mean.

[0044] For operation of the logic-based circuit unit 101, a supply voltage swing 111 a is provided, which is defined by a potential difference between a supply voltage potential 103 a and a ground potential 107 a, while the memory-based circuit unit 102 is provided with a supply voltage swing 111 b for operation which is provided by a potential difference between a supply voltage potential 103 b and a ground potential 107 b. Since, as already mentioned, all the supply voltage potentials 103 a, 103 b and all the ground potentials 107 a, 107 b are adjustable in a variable manner along a supply voltage potential axis 112, it is thus possible to establish any desired supply voltage swings 111 a, 111 b with respect to a fixedly predetermined signal voltage swing 105.

[0045] By way of example, it shall be assumed that, on account of its functionality and on account of the thick gate oxides applied in the production process, a memory-based circuit unit 102 requires a high supply voltage swing 111 b in order to provide an adequate memory functionality.

[0046] Typically, a supply voltage swing of 2.5 V is applied to the memory-based circuit unit 102, a ground potential 107 b being intended to be at 0 V or the reference ground potential 104, so that the ground potential difference 106 b tends toward 0, while the supply voltage potential 103 b for the memory-based circuit unit 102 is intended to be at 2.5 V relative to the reference ground potential 104. If a logic-based circuit unit 101 were operated with the supply voltage potential 103 a of 2.5 V, then the functionality would be jeopardized or the logic-based circuit unit 101 would be damaged or destroyed by an excessively large supply voltage swing 111 a. Logic-based circuit units usually operate with a supply voltage potential 103 a of 1.0 V to 1.8 V, endeavors being made in fabrication engineering, for future logic-based modules, to lower a maximum supply voltage potential with respect to 0 V or the reference ground potential 104 from 1.8 V through 1.5 V and 1.3 V further to 1.0 V.

[0047] In this example, a logic-based circuit unit 101 designed for 1.0 V supply voltage potential 103 a relative to a reference ground potential 104 would be destroyed or greatly jeopardized by a supply voltage potential 103 b of the memory-based circuit unit 102 of 2.5 V. In order that the logic-based circuit unit 101 is nevertheless provided with a supply voltage swing 111 a of not more than 1.0 V, in the method according to the invention, a ground potential difference 106 a is provided which defines a potential difference between the ground potential 107 a provided for the logic-based circuit unit 101 and the reference ground potential 104.

[0048] Consequently, a supply voltage swing 111 a between a supply voltage potential 103 a and a ground potential 107 a can be chosen freely with regard to the magnitude and position around an average value of a DC component.

[0049] Consequently, it is an advantage of the present invention that a predetermined signal voltage swing 105 can be maintained for a communication between the logic-based circuit unit 101 and the memory-based circuit unit 102, while it is possible to set different supply voltage swings 111 a and 111 b, respectively, with a different DC component.

[0050] The logic-based circuit unit 101 is generally defined by a circuit unit to which a low supply voltage swing 111 a is applied, while the memory-based circuit unit 102 is generally defined as a circuit unit to which is applied a high supply voltage swing 111 b compared with the supply voltage swing 111 a, as is clearly discernible to average persons skilled in the art.

[0051] With regard to the conventional circuit arrangement for combining logic-based circuit units and memory-based circuit units which is illustrated in FIG. 2, reference is made to the introduction to the description.

[0052] Although the present invention has been described above using preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not restricted thereto but rather can be modified in diverse ways.

[0053] List of Reference Symbols

[0054] In the figures, identical reference symbols designate identical or functionally identical components or steps. 101 Logic-based circuit unit 102 Memory-based circuit unit 103a, 103b Supply voltage potential 104 Reference ground potential 105 Signal voltage swing 106a, 106b Ground potential difference 107, 107a, 107b Ground potential 108 Signal voltage swing average value 109 Signal voltage maximum value 110 Signal voltage minimum value 111a, 111b Supply voltage swing 112 Supply voltage potential 

1. Method for combining logic-based circuit units (101) and memory-based circuit units (102) in a circuit arrangement, in which different supply voltage swings (111 a, 111 b) are provided, having the following steps: a) provision of at least one supply voltage potential (103 a) for at least one logic-based circuit unit (101); b) provision of at least one ground potential (107 a) for the logic-based circuit unit (101), in order thus to provide a supply voltage swing (111 a) for the logic-based circuit unit (101); c) provision of at least one supply voltage potential (103 b) for at least one memory-based circuit unit (102); d) provision of at least one ground potential (107 b) for the memory-based circuit unit (102), in order thus to provide a supply voltage swing (111 b) for the memory-based circuit unit (103); e) provision of a signal voltage swing (105), which is set between a signal voltage minimum value (110) and a signal voltage maximum value (109) and is applied both to the logic-based circuit unit (101) and to the memory-based circuit unit (102); and f) setting of at least one ground potential difference (106 a, 106 b) between the at least one ground potential (107 a, 107 b) and a reference ground potential (104) in such a way that the logic-based circuit unit (101) and the memory-based circuit unit (102) are supplied with at least one supply voltage swing (111 a, 111 b), and that the signal voltage swing (105) is provided without a supply voltage swing (111 a, 111 b) of the circuit units (101, 102) being exceeded.
 2. Method for combining logic-based circuit units (101) and memory-based circuit units (102) in a circuit arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal voltage swing (105) in the case of logic-based circuit units (101) is provided in the range between a signal voltage minimum value (110) of 0.4 V and a signal voltage maximum value (109) of 0.8 V.
 3. Method for combining logic-based circuit units (101) and memory-based circuit units (102) in a circuit arrangement according to one or both of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the signal voltage swing (105) in the case of logic-based circuit units (101) is provided in the range between 0.4 V and 0.8 V, a signal voltage swing average value (108) being set in such a way that the signal voltage maximum value (109) does not exceed 1.0 V.
 4. Method for combining logic-based circuit units (101) and memory-based circuit units (102) in a circuit arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the signal voltage swing (105) in the case of memory-based circuit units (102) is adapted to the signal voltage swing (105) in the case of logic-based circuit units (102).
 5. Circuit arrangement for combining logic-based circuit units (101) and memory-based circuit units (102), in which different supply voltage swings (111 a, 111 b) are provided, having: at least one supply voltage source a) for providing at least one supply voltage potential (103 a) for at least one logic-based circuit unit (101); b) for providing at least one ground potential (107 a) for the logic-based circuit unit (101); c) for providing at least one supply voltage potential (103 b) for at least one memory-based circuit unit (102); and d) for providing at least one ground potential (107 b) for the memory-based circuit unit (102).
 6. Circuit arrangement for combining logic-based circuit units (101) and memory-based circuit units (102) according to claim 5, characterized in that a logic-based circuit unit (101) is generally a circuit unit to which a low supply voltage swing (111 a) is applied.
 7. Circuit arrangement for combining logic-based circuit units (101) and memory-based circuit units (102) according to one or both of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that a memory-based circuit unit (102) is generally a circuit unit to which a high supply voltage swing (111 b) is applied.
 8. Circuit arrangement for combining at least two circuit units (101, 102) according to one or more of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that at least one different supply voltage potential (103 a, 103 b) and/or at least one different ground potential (107, 107 a, 107 b) is provided for the at least two circuit units (101, 102). 